Breed Preservation

Livestock plays a vital role in the Indian economy. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Today, no one knows the names of India’s fast-vanishing indigenous cattle breeds anymore and hardly anyone cares. Traditional cowshed management practices are dead and forgotten. India faces an acute fodder shortage that has left drought-hit farmers and livestock vulnerable. These indigenous cow breeds can act as a silver bullet in tackling the impending crisis.